Chapter 297: Shadow Play

Inside Xiaoyao Residence, Li Banfeng patiently explained the course of events to Ma Wu: "You were preparing to ambush Ling Miaoying at the Lu family's, but instead, Ling Miaoying ambushed our Xiaoyao Residence. This is called striking when the enemy is vulnerable, luring the tiger out of its mountain lair, and feigning an attack in the east while attacking in the west. Do you understand?"

Ma Wu nodded, "I understand."

"But he didn't expect me to be guarding Xiaoyao Residence. When he made his move, he was unprepared and I caught him red-handed. Can you understand this process?"

Ma Wu nodded again, "I understand."

Li Banfeng said, "So, regarding this matter, you should be able to explain it clearly to Qiu Zhiheng and the others, right?"

Ma Wu shook his head, "No, I can't explain it clearly."

"How can you not explain it clearly?"

"Seventh Brother, let's be reasonable. What level of cultivation does Ling Miaoying possess? What kind of tactics does he use? His mind is meticulous; how could he be so easily ambushed? So many people from the Lu family attacked him, and they couldn't kill him. Yet, you just casually ambushed him and killed him?"

Li Banfeng also felt that explaining the combat power aspect was indeed not easy.

Firstly, Ma Wu couldn't clearly explain Li Banfeng's cultivation level. Secondly, although Li Banfeng possessed a cultivation level of six plus five, his victory over Ling Miaoying also involved elements of serendipity.

"I certainly didn't kill Ling Miaoying alone; someone helped. It's just that this person's identity is special, and I can't easily reveal it. Technically, he shouldn't even be here with us." Li Banfeng casually fabricated a lie to appease Ma Wu for the moment.

Unexpectedly, Ma Wu took it seriously, "Was it a master from the New Lands?"

The New Lands? What does this have to do with the New Lands? But if Ma Wu could accept it, it wouldn't be a problem.

"Indeed, it was a master from the New Lands. That Local Deity, not one of the two we're familiar with, had some conflict with the Ling family. Taking this opportunity to kill Ling Miaoying helped us out and also removed a great worry for himself. This Local Deity doesn't wish to reveal his name, but I can secretly tell you..."

Li Banfeng thought about fabricating a random name to trick Ma Wu; with so many territories in the New Lands, it would be impossible for Ma Wu to verify each one. Unexpectedly, Ma Wu waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Don't say it, don't tell me. If he doesn't want to reveal it, then don't say it, so he doesn't retaliate against us later."

Li Banfeng admired Ma Wu's nature.

Li Banfeng helped Ma Wu elaborate on a few more details, and Ma Wu gradually straightened out his thoughts. "I'll tell Monkey Qiu the whole story. This head will be a generous gift for him. It will certainly be useful to him!"

Li Banfeng smiled, "Then I'll leave it to you!"

Ma Wu returned to the dance hall and said to Lu Chunying, Qiu Zhiheng, and Tan Fucheng, "Two brothers, Sister Chunying, please come with me to a private room."

The three were momentarily stunned, not understanding Ma Wu's intention. They were already in a private room, and the kitchen had prepared the food and drinks. The three were eating and drinking quite comfortably. Why would they need to switch to another private room?

Ma Wu explained again, "The other private room has better food and drinks."

This time, they understood.

There was something in the other private room.

The three quickly got up and followed Ma Wu to the other private room.

Food and drinks were also prepared in that room. Ma Wu dismissed the unnecessary staff, then pulled out a box from under the table. Lowering his voice, he said to the three, "Don't blame me for ruining your appetite, but this must be revealed now."

With that, Ma Wu opened the box, revealing Ling Miaoying's head inside.

The three were instantly stunned.

Monkey Qiu remained silent for a long time. Tan Fucheng, the Cultivator, asked, "Fifth Brother, where did this come from? Is it a wax figure?"

Ma Wu shook his head, "Brother Tan, feel it."

Tan Fucheng gently touched it, confirming its texture, then looked at Monkey Qiu and said, "It really is a human head!"

Qiu Zhiheng asked Ma Wu, "Junyang, what exactly happened?"

Ma Junyang recounted the fabricated story in detail:

"As you all probably know, we had a bit of a disagreement with Ling Miaoying before."

Monkey Qiu and Tan Fucheng were both aware of this. The disagreement primarily stemmed from shadow play. The two families had been competing in shadow play for a while, and a few days ago, Ling Miaoying embarrassed Ma Wu at a premiere, nearly leading to a fight between the two groups.

Ma Wu continued, "Last night, while we were at Old Master Lu's preparing for our revenge, we were worried someone might take advantage of the situation, so we deliberately set up defenses and invited several masters to guard Xiaoyao Residence. Unexpectedly, Ling Miaoying actually showed up."

Tan Fucheng asked, astonished, "Ling Miaoying came to Xiaoyao Residence last night?"

Ma Wu nodded.

Tan Fucheng found it hard to believe, "He personally came to Xiaoyao Residence to cause trouble?"

This was the most difficult part to explain clearly.

Ling Miaoying's hatred for Ma Wu was inevitable. *Blood-Gun Detective* had practically ruined *Blood-Blade Detective*, transforming *Blood-Blade Detective* from a miracle in shadow play history into an art film suitable for niche audiences.

However, no matter how much Ling Miaoying hated Ma Wu, given his cautious nature and the particularly sensitive timing of last night, it was absolutely impossible for Ling Miaoying to personally cause trouble.

Fortunately, Li Banfeng had prepared an explanation for Ma Wu: "Ling Miaoying came last night for the shadow play film reels. To be frank with you two brothers, my next shadow play is already more than halfway filmed. The reels are stored right here at Xiaoyao Residence, and with just a bit of editing, it can be released."

Monkey Qiu and Tan Fucheng were momentarily taken aback; they didn't know much about shadow play.

Lu Chunying suddenly exclaimed, "Oh my goodness, that was a close call! If he had stolen it, wouldn't the next *Blood-Gun Detective* have become his Ling family's property?"

With someone playing along, things became much easier.

This time, Monkey Qiu and Tan Fucheng also understood.

So they were competing over this shadow play, just like fighting for business.

But was a single shadow play worth Ling Miaoying personally getting involved? Perhaps it was worth it; after all, *Blood-Gun Detective* was very profitable, a fact both Monkey Qiu and Tan Fucheng were well aware of.

But Tan Fucheng still couldn't understand another thing: "What kind of masters did you invite who could kill Ling Miaoying?"

Ma Wu pondered for a moment, then said, "Not masters we usually encounter."

Tan Fucheng, having extensive experience in the martial world, still didn't understand Ma Wu's meaning. "Then how can one meet them?"

Ma Wu said cryptically, "You have to find the local overseer."

Tan Fucheng felt bewildered. "Which local overseer are you talking about? Within Greenwater Bay, there wasn't a single head of any territory whom Tan Fucheng didn't know."

Monkey Qiu stopped Tan Fucheng, motioning for him not to ask any more questions. He understood Ma Wu's unspoken meaning: the 'overseer' Ma Wu mentioned wasn't a territorial head, but a Local Deity. In Puluo Province, practitioners who had dealings with Local Deities were very few, but Monkey Qiu was one of them; his relationship with several Local Deities was very close. If Ma Wu had invited a master through a Local Deity, this matter absolutely could not be easily revealed to others. It would benefit neither the speaker nor the listener.

Ling Miaoying's cause of death was now somewhat clarified. Next was deciding how to handle the head.

Monkey Qiu said to Ma Wu, "Junyang, this item is useful to me, very useful. Name your price, and I'll buy it."

Ma Wu shook his head, "Brother Qiu, I brought this item to you precisely to give it to you as a gift. If we talk about buying, it would be too formal between us."

Qiu Zhiheng shook his head, "I never ask for something for nothing. Just name your price."

Ma Wu actually had an intention, having discussed it with Li Banfeng: "Seventh Brother and I have just started our business in Blackrock Slope, and some connections haven't been established yet."

Qiu Zhiheng looked at Lu Chunying.

Lu Chunying said, "In a couple of days, Brother Qiu and I will go to Blackrock Slope together. It'll be a good opportunity to learn the ropes of the business."

Tan Fucheng inwardly praised her; this girl understood some things without needing to be taught.

With matters settled, they continued drinking.

Ma Wu left the room midway to quickly inform Li Banfeng, but when he entered the room, he found Li Banfeng was gone again.

Li Banfeng had returned to his Portable Residence and was sound asleep in bed. Having run all night and fought a fierce battle with Ling Miaoying, Li Banfeng was utterly exhausted and needed a good sleep to recover.

His wife was also fast asleep. After consuming Ling Miaoying, she was accumulating power and would take Li Banfeng to the sixth floor upon waking. Honglian had consumed Ling Miaoying's body. Wu Decheng's body had also been refined earlier, producing over eighty Xuan Chi Pills. Honglian had once again produced Xuan Chi Pills in abundance, which greatly displeased Li Banfeng. If Ling Miaoying's body also produced Xuan Chi Pills this time, Li Banfeng would need to have a serious talk with Honglian.

But none of this was the main point. The main point was the current state of the Portable Residence.

Why had it suddenly moved to Blackrock Slope? It was supposed to follow the key. Why had its characteristic changed this time?

Li Banfeng couldn't figure it out and was very worried.

What if one day, while inside the Portable Residence, I suddenly thought of the Outer Provinces? If my thoughts were intensely focused, could the Portable Residence directly return to the Outer Provinces? Then how would I get back to retrieve the key?

Or perhaps, the Portable Residence had already changed its characteristic of following the key, and now I could bring the key inside the Portable Residence?

This thought had lingered in Li Banfeng's mind for a long time.

During his more than a year in Puluo Province, one of Li Banfeng's biggest worries was the key.

Every time he entered the Portable Residence, he felt a slight apprehension because his key remained outside.

His key had been taken by a black bear, swept away by an insect, and picked up by Chu Er.

If he could carry the key with him at all times, this biggest hidden danger would be eliminated.

Before falling asleep, Li Banfeng stood at the entrance of the Portable Residence with the key for a long time, but he ultimately didn't bring it inside.

When the Peddler had given him the Portable Residence, he had repeatedly warned him not to bring the key inside, otherwise he would be trapped in the house and unable to get out.

Even though the Portable Residence had changed, would this iron rule change as well?

Li Banfeng dared not gamble.

Furthermore, Li Banfeng couldn't understand the reason for the Portable Residence's change.

Who could tell him the answer?

As far as Li Banfeng knew, there were three people.

One was Grandfather Train, who was in the Inner Provinces, making it impossible for Li Banfeng to inquire.

Another was the Peddler. Finding the Peddler wasn't too difficult because his movements were regular.

But would the Peddler be willing to speak about it?

There was also someone else who might not know the full story but certainly knew a part of it, because the Portable Residence got along very well with her and cooperated well.

Would she be willing to tell me the truth?

As he pondered, Li Banfeng felt his consciousness gradually blurring.

He looked at Mengde on the wall and instructed, "Let me have some beautiful dreams."

Mengde nodded, played a soothing melody, and allowed Li Banfeng to fall asleep.

As soon as Li Banfeng fell asleep, the Glove silently went to the second room.

The third room was off-limits; that place was too ominous. It had even devoured a perfectly good pair of iron rulers.

The second room had more magical artifacts — the pendulum, gourd, and teapot were all there. The Glove then secretly went to the fourth room.

The Tang saber was sleeping in the fourth room, so the Glove ran to the fifth room.

The fifth room was empty. The Glove let out a sigh of relief and spat out the projector.

"Good stuff!" the Glove exclaimed, "What good stuff!"

Whir-whir-whir...

The projector's spring mechanism suddenly started turning, and the lens cover opened.

Only then did the Glove discover that inside the palm-sized projector, there was actually a burning candle.

The candle had been burning continuously and still hadn't extinguished.

As the spring mechanism turned, an image appeared on the wall. Because there was no other light source in the room, this image was exceptionally clear.

"Oh my heavens..." the Glove gasped.

In the image, Ling Miaoying walked towards the Glove.

The Glove tried to escape, but the projector suddenly changed its angle.

Ling Miaoying accordingly changed direction, perfectly blocking the Glove's path.

Li Banfeng was having beautiful dreams in bed. In his dream, he stood on the deck of a passenger ship, quietly enjoying the sea breeze amidst the afterglow of the setting sun.

His wife softly murmured, "Husband, this scenery is so beautiful."

Li Banfeng, holding an oil can, said, "Wife, the scenery here is also quite good."

His wife chided playfully, "Is this place suitable too?"

"Of course, it is! Why wouldn't it be suitable?"

"Husband, be a little careful, don't let anyone see."

The oil was all applied, and the record player was ready.

The Glove's wail woke Li Banfeng.

"Help me!"

What is this scoundrel shouting about now?

Li Banfeng followed the sound to the fifth room. As soon as he opened the door, he was also startled.

He saw Ling Miaoying, clutching the Glove, looking at Li Banfeng in the room.

The Glove struggled while shouting at Li Banfeng, "Master, I've been loyal to you through and through! You can't just leave me to die!"